Advanced manufacturing firms employ 33,700 in this region which represents a considerable percentage of the area’s good-paying jobs.

Nationally, each $1 worth of manufactured goods creates another $1.43 in other sectors. Oregon ranks 2nd in the U.S. by manufacturing's percentage of the state's GDP. The manufacturing GDP for the state was $38.75 billion in 2010 – accounting for 22.3% of Oregon's economy. This is up from 2008 when Oregon ranked 5th in the U.S. with manufacturing GDP at $30.2 billion or 18.7% of Oregon's economy.

Portland Advantages

Cluster businesses have incorporated lean processes that have improved product quality, increased efficiencies, enabled faster turn-around times and have led to re-shoring of previously off-shored products.

An impressive number of Portland companies are recognized by industry peers for ranking in the top 10% of their industry. This solid reputation drives national and international sales of products and parts produced by Portland advanced manufacturing companies.

Top PDC Initiatives

What is PDC doing?

Why and How?

Enhance the regional manufacturing supply chain

Enhancing the regional supply chain creates jobs, increases local wealth and reduces the impact of national economic downturns. We are using the Northwest Connectory buyer-supplier database to stimulate the regional supply chain on two fronts:

1. To build local industry knowledge of regional suppliers of products, parts and components.

2. To help large firms and government agencies such as wind power firms and the Department of Defense identify and purchase from suppliers in our region.

Share the cost of lean/efficiency improvements

The Portland Development Commission partners with the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP) to provide lean/efficiency enhancement consultations. OMEP consultations have helped manufacturers improve efficiencies by as much as 60%. PDC shares the cost of OMEP consultations with manufacturers 50-50, up to a maximum of $12,500. Contact Kevin Johnson at (503) 823-1176 for more information.

Resources & Publications

Benchmark Study >
Focused on studying 29 other collaboratories located throughout the U.S. and other locations in the world to determine what elements of their structure, governance, operations and funding may be relevant to the research and development facility being pursued here in the Portland region.

Northwest Collaboratory for Sustainable Manufacturing Feasibility Study Report >
The goal of this Study was to assess the interests and needs of various stakeholders in the proposed Collaboratory, which is designed to bring together industry and educational institutions to support business and technological needs through research, experiential education, and workforce training and development. This study also provides relevant options for configuring, governing, and operating this Collaboratory.